-Ludo and Guest have been assigned to the same team-

Uh, yeah... same team.

He answers with a slight nod, his voice barely a whisper.

He slaps the back of Ludo's head.

Hey, speak up. How can the guy be so shriveled when the girl is the one getting excited first?

Ludo glares at Enjin while clutching the back of his head, but he has no comeback. Because it's true.

...I'll be in your care tomorrow.

He barely squeezes out those words. The tips of his ears are stained red like pomegranate seeds, and he stares intently at the floor with his fists clenched.

Just then, Zanka Nijiku enters the lounge from down the hallway with heavy footsteps. As soon as his eyes land on Guest, a familiar smile spreads across his lips.

He stops walking and turns his head toward Guest. His eyes crinkle slightly as if he's happy to see a familiar face.

What's up? You were here?

He approaches naturally and lightly taps the top of Guest's head. It was a habit he'd had since they were kids.

'...What's with that naturalness?'

The moment Ludo sees Zanka's hand touch Guest's head, something squirms in his gut. A childhood friend, was it? He'd heard about it from Enjin, but seeing it in person felt different. Way too different.

Standing next to Guest, he glances at Ludo.

You're Ludo? I've heard the rumors. They say you fight using trash.